How to Install macOS Tahoe on Ubuntu Using VMware Workstation Pro (Intel & AMD Guide): 7 Easy Steps

Have you ever wished you could run a macOS-specific application without leaving your Ubuntu desktop? Or perhaps you’re a developer needing to test software across different ecosystems? While it sounds complex, setting up macOS Tahoe on Ubuntu is entirely achievable with the right tools and a bit of patience. This detailed guide will walk you through the fastest and easiest method available today using VMware Workstation Pro.

One of the biggest hurdles in this process is processor compatibility. Many older tutorials fail to work for AMD users, but this method specifically addresses that. Whether you’re running an Intel chip or a Ryzen processor, this tutorial will get you from a fresh Ubuntu system to the macOS Tahoe desktop. We’ll cover everything from updating your system headers to fixing the screen resolution with VMware Tools. Let’s dive in and get your virtual Mac up and running.

Prerequisites: macOS Tahoe on Ubuntu

Before we open the terminal, you need to gather four essential files. Head over to the link provided below to download these specific packages. Do not skip the OpenCore Boot VMDK step—this is the secret sauce that makes macOS Tahoe on Ubuntu boot correctly.

1. VMware Workstation Pro 25H2u1 Bundle
2. macOS Unlocker 25H2
3. macOS Tahoe ISO 26.4
4. macOS Tahoe Opencore Boot VMDK
5. Darwin.iso

Here is the checklist of what you’ll find there:

1. VMware Workstation Pro BUNDLE: The installer for VMware on Linux.
2. macOS Unlocker: A tool to make the “Apple MacOS” guest option visible in VMware.
3. macOS Tahoe ISO: The actual operating system installer image.
4. OpenCore Boot VMDK File: Critical selection.
   • Intel Users: Download the specific Intel file.
   • AMD Users: Choose based on the number of cores you plan to assign to the Virtual Machine (4-core, 8-core, or 16-core).
   • For this guide, we will use the 4-core file.

Step 1: Updating Ubuntu and Linux Headers

First, we need to ensure your Ubuntu system is prepared to compile the VMware modules. Open your terminal and run the following commands one by one. This ensures your system has the latest package lists and the necessary build essentials.

sudo apt update

Once the update finishes, you need to install or update the Linux Headers specific to your kernel. This is mandatory for VMware to integrate properly with your system.

udo apt install build-essential linux-headers-generic

Wait for this process to complete. It might take a few minutes depending on your internet speed. Once done, close the terminal for now.

Step 2: Installing VMware Workstation Pro on Ubuntu

Now we will install the VMware BUNDLE file you downloaded earlier. Since this is a console-based installer, we’ll use the terminal again.

1. Navigate to the folder containing the downloaded .bundle file (e.g., Desktop).
2. Right-click in the empty space of the folder and select Open in Terminal.
3. First, we need to make the file executable. Type chmod +x followed by the filename.
   • Tip: You can type chmod +x and then drag the file into the terminal window to auto-fill the path.
     bash chmod +x VMware-Workstation-Full-XX.X.X-XXXXXX.x86_64.bundle

4. Next, run the installer with superuser privileges:
   bash sudo ./VMware-Workstation-Full-XX.X.X-XXXXXX.x86_64.bundle

5. The installer will extract and set up VMware Workstation Pro. Once finished, you can close the terminal.

Step 3: Unlocking macOS Support in VMware

By default, VMware on Linux does not list “Apple macOS” as a guest OS option. We need to patch it using the macOS Unlocker.

1. Extract the downloaded macOS Unlocker ZIP file.
2. Open the extracted folder. Right-click inside the folder and select Open in Terminal.
3. Run the installation script using bash:
   bash sudo bash lnx-install.sh
4. You will see a series of commands executing. Once the script finishes, close everything.

Step 4: Creating the Virtual Machine for macOS Tahoe on Ubuntu

Open VMware Workstation Pro from your applications menu.

1. Click Create a New Virtual Machine.
2. Select Typical (recommended) and click Next.
3. Choose the Installer disc image file (ISO) and select the macOS Tahoe ISO file you downloaded. Ignore the “Could not detect” warning and click Next.

4. Guest Operating System: Select Apple Mac OS X and choose macOS 26 (or the highest available version) from the dropdown.
5. Name your VM (e.g., macOS Tahoe) and choose a storage location.
6. Disk Capacity: Select Store virtual disk as a single file and click Next.
7. Important: Uncheck “Power on this virtual machine after creation” and click Finish.

Step 5: Adjusting VM Settings and Attaching OpenCore

Before powering on the VM, we must edit its hardware settings. This is the most crucial step for booting macOS Tahoe on Ubuntu, especially on AMD systems.

1. Right-click the new VM and select Settings.
2. Processors: Set the number of processor cores to match the OpenCore VMDK file you downloaded (e.g., 4 cores if you downloaded the 4-core AMD file). Uncheck “Virtualize CPU performance counters” if you face boot loops.

3. Hard Disk (SATA): Click Advanced and ensure the node is set to SATA 0:2. This is where macOS will be installed.

4. Add OpenCore Boot Disk:
   • Click the Add… button at the bottom.
   • Select Hard Disk > Next.
   • Select SATA > Next.
   • Choose Use an existing virtual disk, then click Next.
   • Click Browse and select the 4-core OpenCore Boot VMDK file.
   • Click Finish and select Keep Existing Format.

5. Verify Boot Order: Click the newly added OpenCore Hard Disk, then go to Advanced. Ensure this disk is set to SATA 0:0. (If it isn’t, the primary macOS disk you created earlier should be moved to SATA 0:0.)
   • Logic: The VM must boot from OpenCore first, which then hands off the boot process to the macOS installer.

Step 6: Installing macOS Tahoe on Ubuntu VM

Now, power on the virtual machine.

1. You will see the OpenCore Boot Menu. Select Install macOS Tahoe and press Enter.
2. Wait for the language selection screen to appear (this can take a few minutes).
3. Select Disk Utility from the macOS Recovery menu.
4. In Disk Utility, select the VMware Virtual SATA Hard Drive Media (usually the first drive, roughly the size you specified earlier).
5. Click Erase. Name it techrechard.com. Keep Format as APFS and Scheme as GUID Partition Map.

6. Close Disk Utility and select Install macOS Tahoe.
7. Follow the on-screen prompts and select techrechard.com as the destination.
8. Patience Required: The installation will take around 25-30 minutes, and the VM will restart several times. Note: The mouse and keyboard will feel extremely laggy during this phase. This is normal. It will improve significantly after we install VMware Tools.

Step 7: Post-Installation: Fixing Screen Resolution with VMware Tools

Once you reach the macOS Tahoe desktop, you’ll notice the resolution is stuck, and the system feels sluggish. Let’s fix that by installing VMware Tools for macOS (Darwin.iso).

1. From the resource document linked at the top, download the darwin.iso file.
2. In VMware, go to VM > Removable Devices > CD/DVD > Settings.

3. Click Add, select CD/DVD Drive, and click Finish.
4. Under Connection, select Use ISO image file and browse for the darwin.iso you just downloaded. Restart your VM.

5. Once restarted, inside your macOS VM, double-click the VMware Tools icon on the desktop.

6. If you get a security warning about “System Extension Blocked”:
   • Click Open System Settings.
   • Go to Privacy & Security.
   • Click Allow next to the message about VMware services.
   • Re-run the VMware Tools installer.

7. Click Restart when the installation finishes.

Video Tutorial: macOS Tahoe on Ubuntu

Conclusion: Installing macOS Tahoe on Ubuntu

When your virtual machine restarts, you will be greeted by a full-resolution macOS Tahoe on Ubuntu desktop. You’ve successfully navigated the tricky waters of Linux headers, OpenCore bootloaders, and VMware configuration. While we won’t claim the experience is as buttery smooth as a native Mac (or even a bare-metal Hackintosh), it is perfectly manageable for testing apps, browsing with Safari, or simply tinkering with the latest Apple OS.

Remember to check the resource document linked in the introduction for all the exact commands and updated file links. If you ran into any specific errors during the setup, feel free to drop a comment below describing the issue—I’d be happy to help you troubleshoot. If this guide saved you time, please share it with a fellow Linux user looking to explore macOS. Happy virtualizing